Chapter VI.
I remained in this unconscious state, as I afterwards learned,
for many days, even for some weeks according to our computation
of time. When I recovered I was in a strange room, my host and
all his family were gathered round me, and to my utter amaze my
host's daughter accosted me in my own language with a slightly
foreign accent.
"How do you feel?" she asked.
23It was some moments before I could overcome my surprise enough
to falter out, "You know my language? How? Who and what are
you?"
My host smiled and motioned to one of his sons, who then took
from a table a number of thin metallic sheets on which were
traced drawings of various figures- a house, a tree, a bird, a
man, &c.
In these designs I recognised my own style of drawing. Under
each figure was written the name of it in my language, and in
my writing; and in another handwriting a word strange to me
beneath it.
Said the host, "Thus we began; and my daughter Zee, who belongs
to the College of Sages, has been your instructress and ours
too."
Zee then placed before me other metallic sheets, on which, in
my writing, words first, and then sentences, were inscribed.
Under each word and each sentence strange characters in another
hand. Rallying my senses, I comprehended that thus a rude
dictionary had been effected. Had it been done while I was
dreaming? "That is enough now," said Zee, in a tone of command.
"Repose and take food."
